Two co-workers eat at and debate the local lunch establishments around Columbus. Together they decide if a restaurant is worth it: worth the time, worth the price, and worth coming back to.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The Leptologists Eat at Taj Mahal

Paul: And where are we going today for lunch?Candice: Um, The Taj Mahal.Paul: That sounds like... Indian food.Candice: It is.Paul: I remember when you wouldn't even consider Indian food! Now we've done reviews of 3 Indian restaurants in the last 2 months: Amul India, Aab India, and now Taj Mahal.Candice: Tastes can change, can't they?Paul: I can't argue with that. Taj Mahal it is. Where is it located?Candice: On High Street just north of Ohio State's campus. I've been there for dinner but not for lunch.Paul: Parking is a little tough because of the one-way streets. High Street can be busy, but we find a place to park nearby.Candice: The restaurant is situated in a remodeled house. It doesn't seem like a restaurant at all.Paul: The inside is dimly lit.Candice: That's because you just came in from the sunny outside.Paul: We're led past an elegant dining room to the rear of the restaurant. In the back room is the buffet and about 10 tables.

Buffet View #1

Candice: It's 11:20 and we're the first ones here.Paul: Shall we have the buffet?Candice: We shall!

Buffet View #2

Paul: The buffet features salad, rice, pakora (deep fried veggies), Dal Makhni (lentils and beans), and cabbage and peas.Candice: We are told that the Keema Lamb is a special today. It's minced lamb in peas and spices.Paul: I also see my favorite Chicken Makhni, also known as butter chicken, Mali Kofta, Tandoori Chicken, Naan, and Souji Halwa, as dessert.Candice: There's an array of chutneys and spices at the end.Paul: For my first plate, I try the Chicken Makhni, Dal Makhni, Mali Kofta, and of course a piece of Naan.

Paul's Plate #1

Candice: For my first plate, I get the Tandoori Chicken, Peas and Cabbage, Pakora, Chicken Makhni, Keema Lamb, and Dal Makhni. And some chutney.Paul: Can you get more on your plate?Candice: Yes, yes I could, but this is a buffet and I can go up as many times as I like.Paul: Point taken. Mmmm. This Chicken Mahkini is spicy, but oh so flavorful. It's very good.

Candice's Plate #1

Candice: The rice is done right. It's easy to mess it up on a buffet, but not here. I am not a lamb fan, but this Keema Lamb is excellent. The Pakora's cauliflower is yummy. It's not been overly fried, and the texture is perfect. The batter is crisp but not burnt.Paul: I will have to try Keema Lamb. I'm not a lamb fan either. The Mali Kofta is even more spicy than the chicken. But the texture of the veggies is wonderful. I'm gonna need more water, but in a good way.Candice: The Naan is crispy at the edge and soft in the middle. Seldom do we see a truly differentiated Naan, but this is very good.Paul: Time for plate #2. Dal Makhni for me, and I'll try the Mali Kofta and the Keema Lamb.

Paul's Plate #2

Candice: The Dal Makhni is awesome. It's chock full of beans.Paul: The lamb is mild compared to the other spicy dishes. It tastes like a ground turkey, but a little more pungent. I like it more than I guessed I would.Candice: On my second plate I get more peas and cabbage, more Dal Makhni, more Keema Lamb, and more mint chutney.

Candice's Plate #2

Paul: I can't eat another plateful.Candice: Really?Paul: Oh, okay, one more plate.Candice: This mint chutney is fabulous. And the peas and cabbage is great comfort food. The Mali Kofta has the best sauce of all of the dishes.Paul: Plate #3 is just for my favorites: Chicken Makhni and Dal Makhni.

Paul's Plate #3

Candice: My second plate has filled my belly. I'm done.Paul: What about the dessert?Candice: Did you just say 'dessert'?Paul: You know I did.Candice: Fine, I'll try it. One bowl of the Souji Halwa, please.

Souji Halwa

Paul: I like this. It has a lemomy flavor.Candice: It's so refreshing. Savory, sour, and sweet in the perfect combination.Paul: Ah, that was good. Roll me back to the office.Candice: You can roll yourself.Paul: So, overall what do you think?Candice: Overall, a great Indian buffet, with some dishes we haven't seen before. The flavors were complex and well-done. And even when the room was filled, there was no wait at the buffet. It's a win all around.Paul: Yep, the $10 price tag makes this a value. Worth the price, worth the wait, and worth coming back, just not next time.Candice: What? You're tired of Indian food?Paul: A little.Candice: I promise we'll do another cuisine next time. Maybe Southern Indian.Paul: Argh!Candice: Pakistani?